News : New location for John Gualtier Day Recognition: Vinton Skate Center

June 20 has been declared as John Gualtier Day in Vinton, honoring one of Vinton's Best

Mayor Bud Maynard signed a declaration at Thursday night's City Council Meeting which read:

"WHEREAS, Vinton resident John Gualtier was a combat medic, serving in World War II 75 years ago, and 

WHEREAS, Gualtier was injured in the line of duty, was treated and continued to tend to others more seriously wounded, and 

WHEREAS, Gualtier helped to liberate prisoners from Gunskirchen Concentration Camp, and 

WHEREAS, Gualtier also served in the Korean War, and

WHEREAS, Gualtier has volunteered many hours at the Veteran's Administration, and 

WHEREAS John Gualtier has finally been awarded a Purple Heart. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bud Maynard, Mayor of the City of Vinton, Iowa do HEREBY PROCLAIM June 20, 2020 as

JOHN GUALTIER DAY

in Vinton, Iowa and THANK him for his service to our country. 

In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have here unto subscribed my name. In Vinton, Iowa this 11th Day of June, 2020."

There will be a ceremony to present Gualtier with his Purple Heart on June 20, 2020, at the Skate Center. The ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. The public is invited to bring along lawn chairs and practice social distancing.

Before reading the proclamation, the Mayor said that this day is, "about every person has protected this country. It is representative of everyone in this community that I highly respect. I thank everyone who has ever served."

John Gualtier has spoken in several classrooms in the area sharing some of his stories from his time in WWII. Many of us know him thanks to a documentary in 2018 that was put together about his life and experiences called,  "A Hero Among Us."(a preview can be seen here) 

There have been several stories about Gualtier on Vinton Today about his service, awards, volunteerism, dedication to the Legion and to other veterans. Here are just a few links to a handful of the stories. His experiences are definitely worth sharing again. 

12/19/16 Documentary

5/15/15 Honored by the Chicago Cubs

1/13/12  and here Chosen to be one of the Nine Who Care Honorees

2/6/12 sharing his experience with area students

10/16/19 Honored for his 50 Years as a Legion Member

1/8/18 "Barbed Wire Wings"

7/26/13 Receives Iowa Legion Service Award for the 2nd Time

2/6/18 Hero Among Us presentation

1/26/12 Reluctant Speaker

There are more if you search "John Gualtier" in the search bar at the top right of the page. 

Thank you John for well, everything!